DATE: August 23, 2006
MEDIA CONTACT: Melanie McDonald, director of media relations
PHONE: 574-284-4579
E-MAIL: mmcdonal@saintmarys.edu

Three is a Charm: Another “Best College” Ranking for Saint Mary’s College

NOTRE DAME, Ind.—“The Princeton Review” names Saint Mary’s College as a Best Midwestern College for 2007. This comes just on the heels of another top ranking by “U.S. News & World Report” and a “Golf Digest” ranking recognizing Saint Mary’s as the third best school for student-athletes interested in playing collegiate golf (Princeton and Yale ranked first and second, respectively). The Princeton Review’s rankings are based largely on student opinion data collected via survey and posted on their Web site.

The Princeton Review’s “Best Colleges: Region by Region” section of princetonreview.com identifies colleges that “stand out as academically excellent institutions of higher learning,” according to the Web site. Each college selected had to meet The Princeton Review’s standards for excellence, based on admissions selectivity, fire safety, academics, financial aid and quality of life. Colleges on the list were also required to allow The Princeton Review to survey students anonymously. That survey includes more than 70 questions divided into four sections: 1) About Yourself; 2) Your School’s Academics/Administration; 3) Students; and 4) Life at Your School.

Additional details about the standards and the survey can be found at http://princetonreview.com/college/research/regional/

Several student quotes from the survey make their way onto the Saint Mary’s-specific page of the site:

"A typical student would be a woman who is very into her studies. She knows when to go out and have a good time, but her schoolwork comes first. She is also active in many different clubs or activities on campus."

While "there is a large Caucasian population, there is also a growing number of Hispanic, Black, and international students attending, with the help of the Center for Women's Intercultural Leadership and other groups on campus promoting diversity…”

"All Saint Mary's students are women, of course; the majority are Catholic, [and] those who are of other faith backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to get involved in the interfaith programs provided by campus ministry."

Saint Mary’s is one of 163 schools receiving the Best in the Midwest designation.

Saint Mary’s is a four-year, Catholic women’s college sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s now enrolls approximately 1500 students. Enrollment at Saint Mary’s is growing, and so is the percentage of students from historically underrepresented groups. The College had its most successful fundraising year ever (2005-06), and is about to break ground on a new academic building.

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